South Korea Guilt Trips

The Kims apologize, sort of

"I cannot conceal my remorse," read the ad splashed across the front page of every daily newspaper in South Korea. Unusual though it was, the public apology by Opposition Leader Kim Young Sam, 60, was only the first to be offered by losers of South Korea's first free presidential election in 16 years. Rival Dissident Leader Kim Dae Jung, 62, issued his mea culpa two days later, conceding his "unbearably heavy responsibility" for the victory two weeks ago of Roh Tae Woo, 55, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Justice Party. By splitting the opposition vote, the two Kims had allowed...